Cogling (49 page)

Did she have a prize coming? Edna stumbled over the hem of her gown, but Ike caught her arm before she could fall. May the seven Saints keep her safe. The crowd parted for her, a hush on the instruments, as she walked on stiff legs toward where the King waited with his new wife and Rachel, the other maid-of-honor, still fluttering her fan and smirking.

Ike and Harrison waited for her in the crowd.

She didn’t need more of a prize than that.

COGLING was born from two sources: the Victorian Fair and Aaron Siddall. Working at the Victorian Fair in Rome, New York introduced me to steampunk, a genre I fell in love with; Aaron Siddall is a professional illustrator who is also a member of the Utica Writers Club. He approached me with the idea to collaborate on a book. I would write it and he would illustrate it. He wanted a fairy tale; I wanted a steampunk story.

With the clinking of some gears, COGLING came about. Sadly, it didn’t work out with Aaron and I regret that.

This story wouldn’t be as powerful as it is without the Utica Writers Club. You got to hear the earliest draft and now you get to read the final product. Maybe I’ll even read some sections at our next meeting!

The same goes for my critique partners. All of you – if I listed every name the acknowledgements would go on for at least five pages – helped to shape this into a story worth enjoying. “I love Ike” became a common theme amongst our in-depth discussions.

Thank you, Jessa Russo, for being the type of Editor I always dreamed I would have (yes, you deserve to have your title capitalized). You point out all the places that can make it stronger; the romance between Ike and Edna wouldn’t be as steamy without you.

I wouldn’t be a published author without my family. My maternal grandmother spoiled me with books, my mother read aloud to me every night (and most nights still!), and everyone learned to be quiet while Jordan was reading or writing. Any writing event I wanted to attend, my family made sure it was possible for me to do so.

Speaking of family, I must give a shout out to my great-grandmother, Edna Hammer Clark. “Ma Edna” loaned her name to Edna Mather, who I believe wears it with honor.

COGLING is the first novel I signed with Belcastro Agency. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I’m thrilled to have it in print now.

It wouldn’t be in print if it weren’t for those who work at Curiosity Quills. From the first stage to the last, you guys helped it shine.

None of my books would exist without the readers, you loyal people who enjoy young adult, fantasy, steampunk, adventure, and the time spent curled up with a book. I’ve always loved that saying: “curled up with a book.” I do literally curl up, as if that will help to suck me into the pages. That’s the best way to read for me.

Odds bobs – enjoy your reading!

Jordan Elizabeth
, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, enjoys wearing corsets, long skirts, and boots – sometimes all at once. She writes and works in Central New York, but she lives in her imagination.

Jordan is the author of ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, TREASURE DARKLY, BORN OF TREASURE, and RUNNERS AND RIDERS, all available from Curiosity Quills Press. She is a contributing author for GEARS OF BRASS, the steampunk anthology.

Visit Jordan website,
JORDANELIZABETHMIEREK.COM
, for contests and more information about her upcoming novels.

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